Smile Anatomy 101 – A Course From Your Dentist In Valparaiso

Photography of a head section from old anatomy book

Do you remember that song from elementary school? You know – the one with the lyrics, “Your head bone is connected to your jawbone. Your jawbone is connected to your tooth bone.” Well, in this post from your dentist in Valparaiso, you’ll learn just how true this is. The team at Smiles of Valparaiso & Associates, you’ll brush up on how your smile functions, learn how your oral health can change as you age, and take our Smile Anatomy 101 course. Learn all about the components that make up your radiant grin from our team of superior dentists.

What Comprises the Anatomy of My Smile?

To being our lesson in Smile Anatomy 101, we should start by informing you that there are many different parts that make up your smile, including:

Lips – Although you’re probably familiar, the lips help you speak, chew, make facial expressions, and even snag a kiss from your sweetheart.
Gums – Technically referred to as the gingiva, the gums serve as the secures foundation for your teeth, and are the protective covering for your jaw structure.
Teeth – There are many different types of teeth, and they all come together to help you smile, talk, and serve as the first portion of your digestive system by chewing food. Your teeth have their own anatomy:
- Enamel – This is the hard outer surface of your teeth that you chew with, and that can be affected by cavities.
- Dentin – Under the enamel, this soft, yellow layer of tissue contains millions of tiny tubules and protects the pulp of the tooth.
- Pulp – This is the soft tissue found at the center of your teeth. This is the home of nerve tissues as well as blood vessels.
Tongue – This muscle is important in swallowing, speaking, and even expressing emotions, as youngsters might be familiar with.
Tonsils – Located on both the right and left side of the back of your throat, your tonsils are two small masses of lymphoid tissue that are part of your immune system and help fight infections.
Hard Palate – This is the hard, inside surface of the roof of your mouth.
Soft Palate – This is the soft, fleshy, and flexible portion of the roof of your mouth that starts where the hard palate ends, and connects to your uvula.
Uvula – This is the small piece of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate. This helps you swallow, and can also be involved when snoring happens at night.
Jawbone – This is the natural foundation for your entire smile and one major reason for taking care of your oral hygiene is to protect against the loss of vital jaw tissue.

How Does My Smile Anatomy Change With Age?

As you get older, everything is affected by the aging process, including your smile. Keep the following changes in mind and talk with our team about keeping your oral health intact at any age:

Tooth Loss – Although many seniors lose teeth, this doesn’t have to resign you to live with dentures. Our dental implants can keep your natural teeth safe, are long-lasting, and blend right in with your existing smile.
Jawbone Loss – When teeth come out of the mouth, the jawbone can recede, making the face look sunken and giving you an appearance of being older than you actually are. Dental implants are the perfect option to prevent jawbone loss, keeping your smile healthy and young-looking.
Dry Mouth – As we age, saliva production naturally decreases, and many older people take medications that can make their mouths dry, which increases the likelihood of cavities and oral thrush.
Oral Cancer – To prevent cancers of the mouth and throat that become more prevalent with age, make regular screenings part of your preventive dental care.

Now that you know what your smile anatomy is and how it changes as you age, schedule your appointment with Smiles of Valparaiso & Associates to keep your teeth healthy no matter how old you are!