WE use our mouths constantly.
We talk, we breathe, we chew, we swallow, we smile, we grimace, stick our tongues out and more!
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Your mouth is also where the process of digestion starts, as it’s right at the beginning of the gastrointestinal tract.
So let’s discuss some weird and wonderful facts about the complex organ that is your mouth.
1. You produce a lot more saliva than you think
Saliva is produced from glands in your mouth, and even thinking about food, smelling it or seeing it can be enough to get the juices flowing!
Saliva helps keep your mouth moist and helps protect your gums and teeth, washing away debris from the mouth.
Read more about oral health
It is involved in digestion as it contains the enzyme amylase, which is involved in breaking down carbohydrates.
You produce on average approximately 0.5ml of saliva a minute, or 720 mls per day.
If we multiply that over 80 years that is about 21 000 litres of saliva produced in a lifetime, or enough to fil around 260 baths.
Some people produce more, enough to fill two swimming pools!
2. Your teeth are unique
There are various parts of the body which are unique to each of us.
These include your fingerprints, your irises (the coloured part of your eye) and your teeth.
No one else has exactly the same teeth as you do, and that’s why dental records are often used in forensics to help solve crimes.
3. We have been brushing our teeth for millennia
The importance of brushing your teeth and dental hygiene has been part of human history as far back as the Ancient Babylonians and Ancient Egyptians.
Historians have found that they used frayed twigs to brush their teeth.
Fast forward to China in the 15th century to the invention of the toothbrush made of bone or wood with bristles and then hair from animals attached to brush the teeth.
It wasn’t until the late 18th century that the more modern style toothbrush was invented in the UK.
4. Taste is complicated
Flavour is mostly the sense of smell – hold your nose and food tastes different.
Or think about how dull food tastes when you have a blocked nose due to a cold. The combination of smell and taste creates flavour.
You taste things via the taste buds of your tongue,which can identify salty, sweet, bitter, sour and umami (savoury) flavours.
But without saliva you wouldn’t taste, as saliva acts as a solvent, dissolving the substances for you to taste and carrying the food particles around your tongue.
5. Your mouth houses millions of bacteria
You may have heard about the gut microbiome, which are the bacteria which we all carry in our gut.
But what you might not know is that this includes the mouth.
In fact, your mouth contains more bacteria than the number of people on the earth!
It is estimated that our mouths carry around 20 billion microbes of about 500-650 different species.
We are finding out more and more about the many important roles of the gut microbiome and the importance of protecting and cultivating good bacteria and a healthy microbiome.
6. Your mouth gets hormonal
There are receptors for hormones such as oestrogen all over the body, including in the mouth.
This means that after the menopause, lower levels of oestrogen can lead to symptoms in the mouth such as dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome and even moving teeth.
The hormones of the menstrual cycle may also be involved with other symptoms.
For example, it is known that women of reproductive age can identify smells which are 11 times less concentrated (or weaker) than the men can.
Add to this, around 35 per cent of women are supertasters, which means that they have an extremely sensitive and heightened taste and smell sensation, compared with only 15 per cent of men.
7. Your tongue is super strong
The tiny bumps you can see on your tongue aren’t your taste buds but papillae, which contain the taste buds and heat receptors and are important for eating.
The tongue is made up of 8 muscles, four of which connect to the mouth and throat and the other four make up the tongue itself.
Your tongue is super strong. If you think about it,you don’t notice your tongue tiring out like your legs would do after a run.
The muscle is also extremely flexible, as it’s able to extend and lengthen, twist, curl or even roll – though not everyone can do that last one!
It doesn’t get tired because it contains so many muscles so there is a sort of inbuilt redundancy system.
8. Wisdom teeth don’t make you clever
Wisdom teeth are thought to be called wisdom teeth as they appear much later than the other teeth, perhaps when we have become slightly wiser!
Not everyone will have them though, and this again is not linked to IQ.
Scientists think that they developed due to the diet of our ancient ancestors which contained rough food requiring a lot of chewing, meaning that the teeth wore out quicker so perhaps the extra few teeth were useful.
9. Teeth are harder than bones
Diamonds might be the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth but teeth are pretty tough.
In fact, the enamel on your teeth is tougher than bones.
The enamel makes up the outside of the tooth, covering the slightly softer dentin which makes up most of the body of the tooth, and the central pulp which contains nerves and blood vessels.
Teeth are also much bigger than the part you can see, with approximately 1/3 of the tooth hidden below the gums.
10. Some people have three sets of teeth
When you think of a baby smiling you think of a big gummy smile, but some babies are actually born with teeth.
These are called natal teeth and babies can have one or more, though this is not very common, occurring in 1 in every 2 or 3000 babies, though the cause is unknown.
They are not the same as the first teeth or milk teeth, can be discoloured and often have weak roots, meaning that they can be loose.
They are generally removed as they can cause problems with breastfeeding and are a risk of causing choking or other problems if they fall out. But whether or not they have teeth visible above the gums at birth, all 20 of the deciduous, or milk teeth are already developing in your baby’s jaws!
One final myth – contrary to popular belief, people do not preferentially chew on the same side as they are dominant handed. And yes, there has been research completed on this!
Signs of disease in the mouth
BAD breath and mouth ulcers are common occurrences.
But they may signal an underlying health problem, too.
Dr Rahul Nehra, Lead Dentist at The Smile Gallery, warns of the symptoms in your mouth that should never be ignored.
BLEEDING GUMS
PERSISTENT bleeding gums, especially during brushing or flossing, can indicate gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
This is often caused by plaque buildup along the gumline, leading to inflammation and potential tissue damage.
It’s essential to address bleeding gums promptly to prevent further complications like gum recession and tooth loss.
For bleeding gums, proper oral hygiene is crucial, along with professional dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
BAD BREATH
Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be a sign of various dental issues, including poor oral hygiene, gum disease or cavities.
But it could be an underlying health problem such as diabetes or gastrointestinal issues.
Dental check-ups can help identify and address the root cause of bad breath, such as gum disease.
Improving bad breath typically involves maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, flossing, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash.
LUMPS AND SORES
WHILE occasional mouth sores are common and often harmless, persistent lumps or sores that don’t heal within two weeks could be signs of more serious conditions such as oral cancer.
Other concerning signs include white or red patches, numbness, or difficulty moving the jaw. If you notice any of these symptoms, seeing a dentist or doctor for further evaluation is crucial.
Sores in the mouth may benefit from topical treatments or medications prescribed by a dentist or doctor, while monitoring for any signs of infection or malignancy.
WOBBLY TEETH
LOOSE teeth can indicate advanced gum disease or untreated tooth decay.
Without prompt intervention, this can lead to tooth loss and bone deterioration.
Seeking dental care as soon as possible can help preserve remaining teeth, possibly through procedures like scaling and root planing or dental restorations.
SWALLOWING DIFFICULTY
DIFFICULTY swallowing, also known as dysphagia, can be caused by various factors, including oral infections, inflamed tonsils, or even more severe issues like throat cancer.
If you experience persistent difficulty swallowing or a sensation of something stuck in your throat, it’s essential to seek medical or dental attention promptly for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
CROAKY VOICE
A CROAKY or hoarse voice can result from various conditions affecting the throat or vocal cords, including acid reflux, respiratory infections, or vocal cord nodules or polyps.
In some cases, poor oral hygiene or throat irritation can also contribute to voice changes.
If you experience persistent hoarseness or voice changes, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional.
Addressing a croaky voice may involve lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding irritants like tobacco smoke or excessive vocal strain.