Mouth and teeth are not just things! (Mouth and Teeth) Let's find out more about this, shall we?

Have you ever thought about how precious and amazing our mouths and teeth are? Today we are going to talk about these mouths and teeth, which are indispensable for everything we do, whether we laugh, cry, talk, or eat. To be precise, these are not just body parts, but things that have a big impact on our lives.

Why are the mouth and teeth so important?

Think about it, how many times a day do we use our mouths? We smile, make different facial expressions, pronounce words, eat, drink water, all of this is done using our mouths and teeth. The process of digestion begins in the mouth.

Our mouths are essential for speaking. The lips, tongue, and teeth all work together to control the airflow that comes out of the mouth and form words. You may have noticed that when you say certain letters, your tongue hits your teeth or the roof of your mouth.

When we eat, our teeth break, flatten, and grind food to make it easier to swallow. The tongue helps push the food toward the teeth, and it is also the tongue that tastes the food we eat.

What do each part of the mouth do?

The inside of our mouth is covered with a thin, moist membrane. In medical terms, this is called the mucous membrane .

Let's learn exactly about the palate (`(Palate)`)

We call the top of the mouth the palate . This also has two parts, did you know?

• The bony, slightly hard part at the front is called the hard palate . This hard palate separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity above it (inside the nose).
• The soft, fleshy part at the back is called the soft palate . It is like a screen between the mouth and the throat (the part called ``Pharynx'' in medicine). When we swallow food, this soft palate is what closes off the nasal passage from the throat and prevents food from going into the nose. Imagine that when we drink some water and it goes down the throat, it does not go into the nose, that is when this soft palate helps.

If you open your mouth wide, do you see a small piece of flesh hanging down your throat? That's what's called the uvula . This uvula is also part of the soft palate. Also, there are two pillars on either side of the uvula, where it enters your throat? That's what we call the tonsils .

The tongue, the way it tastes

The tongue is a very important organ made up of a bunch of muscles. If you look at the top of the tongue, you will see that there are small, rough bumps. These are called taste buds (`(Papillae)`) . These `(Papillae)` are the little holes in our taste buds, or taste buds . There are four main types of taste – sweet, salty, sour, and bitter – that we can taste through these taste buds.

The amazing power of saliva

When we chew food, there are salivary glands in the walls and floor of our mouth. These glands secrete saliva . This saliva moistens the food and helps it break down further. Especially when we eat dry food, saliva makes it easier for us to chew and swallow it. Not only that, saliva also contains enzymes . These enzymes help to start the digestion process.

When the food is well chewed, moistened, and becomes a soft ball, it is pushed to the back of the mouth, that is, towards the throat, and swallowed.

How do our teeth work?

Every tooth in our mouth has a specific job. These teeth work together like a team.

Teeth of each race and their function

• Incisors: These are the front, square-shaped teeth with sharp edges. We use these teeth to bite and break things. There are four on the top and four on the bottom.
• Canines (`(Canines)`): These are the pointed teeth on either side of the incisors. Sometimes the upper canines are also called "wild teeth," right? These help tear food.
• Premolars (or Bicuspids): These teeth are located behind the canines. They help grind and crush food. There are four of them, two on each side of the jaw.
• Molars: These are the larger, grooved, and bumpy teeth that are located behind the molars. These are used to chew and grind food. There are six molars in each jaw, three in each jaw, or twelve in the entire mouth. These are called the first, second, and third molars.

Do you know what wisdom teeth are? They are the third molars. For many people, these come in later. Sometimes, these wisdom teeth can cause pressure on other teeth, cause pain, or even cause an infection. If that happens, a dentist will have to remove them.

How we get two sets of teeth (`(Diphyodont)`)

As humans, we grow two sets of teeth throughout our lives. In medical terms, this is called `(Diphyodont)` .

1. The first 20 teeth to appear are called deciduous teeth (`(Deciduous teeth)` or `(Milk teeth)` or `(Baby teeth)`) . These start to appear even before the baby is born. These deciduous teeth start to fall out around the age of 6.

2. The 32 permanent teeth that come after that are called ``Permanent teeth`` or ``Adult teeth`` .

What's inside a tooth?

A tooth is not just a piece of stone. A tooth is made up of four main types of tissue.

• Pulp: This is the innermost part of the tooth. It contains the connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels that nourish the tooth. The pulp has two parts: the pulp chamber, which is located inside the crown of the tooth, and the root canal, which is located inside the root of the tooth. The blood vessels and nerves enter through a small hole at the tip of the tooth and travel along the root canal to the pulp chamber.
• Dentin: Surrounding the pulp is a dark yellow layer called dentin . This is the most abundant part of the tooth. It is as hard as bone. This is what gives teeth their slight yellow color.
• Enamel: Enamel is the strongest tissue in our body. It covers the dentin and forms the outermost, visible layer of the tooth. Enamel helps to withstand the pressure we put on when we chew, protects against harmful bacteria, and protects the tooth from temperature changes caused by hot and cold foods.
• Cementum: Cementum is the part of the tooth that covers the root of the tooth, under the gum, and attaches the tooth to the jawbone. This cementum is as hard as bone.

How do you keep your little one's mouth and teeth healthy?

So, what can you do to keep your precious mouth and teeth, especially your little one's, healthy? Here are a few tips:

• Provide a nutritious diet. Give as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Minimize sugary drinks, sweet foods (like chocolate, toffee), and sticky foods (like dried fruits, some types of biscuits). These are not good for teeth.
• Go for regular dental checkups. It's a good idea to see a doctor at least once a year.
• Help young children brush their teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes each time. Check to see if they are brushing properly.
• When there are areas where the teeth touch each other, that is, when there are no gaps between the teeth, help them use floss once a day.
• When playing sports that can be dangerous to the mouth (for example, rugby, boxing), teach them to use a mouthguard to protect their mouth.
• Teach your child not to walk or run with anything in their mouth (like a toothbrush, pencil, or toy). If they fall, it can be a serious accident.
• Make your home and car smoke-free. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop cavities. If you or someone in your household smokes and need help quitting, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for advice (in Sri Lanka, contact your local health department).
• If your baby is still sucking a pacifier or thumb at around 4 years old, talk to a doctor or dentist about it. They will advise you on how to stop the habit. They will also check to see if the habit is causing tooth loss.

Finally, things you need to remember (Take-Home Message)

Simply put, our mouths and teeth are not just things. They are essential to our appearance, our speech, our eating, and our enjoyment of life.

Remember, a healthy mouth and teeth are a good start to a healthy life!

Therefore, take care of your own and your family's oral and dental health, especially that of your little ones. By following good habits and visiting a doctor regularly, you can keep a beautiful, healthy smile forever. Because, as they say, laughter is the best medicine!

Mouth, teeth, oral health, dental health, baby teeth, permanent teeth, how to brush teeth