By Arthur Kezian
Most people know that taking good care of your teeth and gums are an important aspect of maintaining ones dental health. Without proper oral hygiene, tooth erosion and gum disease can become a major problem. Although your teeth and gums are a major part of your mouth there are other structures equally as important. Dr. Kezian knows that a solid understanding of your mouth anatomy is an important part of your dental education.
Most people know that taking good care of your teeth and gums are an important aspect of maintaining ones dental health. Without proper oral hygiene, tooth erosion and gum disease can become a major problem. Although your teeth and gums are a major part of your mouth there are other structures equally as important. Dr. Kezian knows that a solid understanding of your mouth anatomy is an important part of your dental education.
Mouth Anatomy: The Basics
Grossly, the oral cavity is essentially oval shaped. The boundaries include the lips anteriorly, oropharynx posteriorly, cheeks laterally, floor of mouth inferiorly and the hard palate superiorly. Considered part of the oral cavity are the lips, gingiva or gums, teeth, hard palate, inner cheek surface or mucosa, tongue and floor of the mouth. Some of these parts can affect the health of your teeth. In addition, part of a dentist’s job during routine check-ups is to evaluate these other areas to look for other diseases such as oral cancer.
The Beginning of Digestion
As everyone knows, the oral cavity is the first part of the digestive tube and the process of digestion is initiated here with chewing of food into smaller pieces and the softening of food with salivation. Other functions include respiratory conduit, speech modification and sensory functions. The bones of the jaw, maxillary and mandibular bones specifically, form the bony structures of the oral cavity.
Your teeth give your mouth its overall shape and contribute to the aesthetic features of your face. Different teeth have different functions in the process of mastication, the grinding and crushing of food into smaller pieces for easier digestion. Your gums are necessary in that they protect the roots of the teeth on the jaw bone. Gum disease or gingivitis can cause tooth decay and loss and needs to be treated.
Salivary glands produce saliva that contains enzymes for digestion and water for moisture. There are three major salivary glands that connect into the mouth. Disease of the salivary glands can disrupt this process leading to the symptoms of dry mouth. Without the moisture and food breakdown functions, bacteria can overgrow leading to increased plaque formation and resulting in tooth decay.
The tongue is a muscular organ that functions in speech and chewing. It is covered in taste buds that contain pain and chemosensors that let you experience the sensation of taste.
Understanding your overall mouth anatomy is essential to your overall dental health. During your visit to the dentist, your teeth get polished and cleaned. Any signs of tooth decay are identified and treated as necessary. Gum disease can be seen and treatment plans to reverse the process will be discussed. Remember, that although your teeth and gums are important, the other parts of your mouth need to be examined for signs of infection, oral cancer or other disease symptoms.
Dr. Kezian is dedicated to providing excellent care to patients by completing an extensive examination of the mouth to prevent and treat dental and oral cavity disease.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777
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