Have you ever heard the expression “It takes more muscles to frown than to smile?” Even though this notion might seem silly, it’s actually true—however, your smile is capable of so much more than merely smiling or frowning, thanks to all of the unique parts that compose it! Here’s more from your dentist about a few of these notable oral structures and how they work in unison to provide you with a beautiful, working smile.
Teeth
The average person has two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime; a set of temporary baby teeth during childhood, and the permanent adult teeth that ultimately replace them. Teeth serve many different purposes; they assist with biting and chewing food, making them an important tool for digestion. They also assist with speech and pronouncing certain sounds. It’s also worth mentioning that they provide structural support for your face. They’re protected by a layer of enamel, the hardest material in your body.
Gums
The soft gum tissues of your mouth help to anchor your teeth in place, as well as to protect their roots from decay and other issues. Gum health is also directly linked to overall health, meaning that you should take thorough measures to ensure your gums are as healthy and pink as possible.
Tongue
Your tongue is one of the strongest muscles in your body and plays an integral part in tasting and swallowing food (it houses about 10,000 tastebuds), in addition to speaking clearly. It also assists you with pushing saliva down your throat.
Salivary Glands
Your mouth is also home to multiple salivary glands, including three main pairs: two glands overlapping your jaw near your ears, two underneath your jaw, and two underneath your tongue. These glands produce saliva, which doesn’t just assist you with digestion but is also your mouth’s first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria.
Lips & Cheeks
These are made up of strong muscles that assist you with various things including smiling, frowning, breathing, speaking, biting, chewing, laughing, and so on. They also provide protection for your inner oral cavity and prevent saliva and food from exiting your mouth while you’re eating.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
These two joints are perhaps the most intricate in your entire body, as they connect your jaw and skull and allow you to open and close your mouth naturally. This allows you to eat, speak, and talk freely—however, due to their inherent complexity, the joints are susceptible to various disorders that often require professional intervention.
The bottom line is that a healthy smile is a happy smile; by keeping tabs on all of the various oral structures inside of your mouth and ensuring that they’re kept clean and problem-free, you’ll experience far fewer oral health issues.
About the Practice
The team at Beck Dental Care of Columbia is proud to offer an elite level of dental care for patients and families in the Columbia, TN area. The practice is fortunate to house three skilled specialists: Dr. Matthew Hart, Dr. Kyle Williams, and Dr. Philip Matthews. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to arrange a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for further information or assistance. Telephone: (931) 236-2141.