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Mouth

The mouth is the oval-shaped oral cavity located at the top of the digestive tract and consists of two parts: the vestibule and the oral cavity proper.

Recently Answered Questions

What makes the human mouth so good at eating?
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by Dr. Michael Roizen
Although opera singers, politicians, and courtside fans are mostly known for what comes out of their mouths, what makes our mouths so special is how we handle what goes in them. For starters, consider your mouth to be just like the guy who buckles you in on a roller coaster-it's there simply to prepare the food for the journey. We're different than most other animals in the way we chew. A crocod...
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What are the five major taste receptors?
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by Dr. Mehmet Oz
You already know about four of your major taste receptors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty. But there's another-one that delivers deliciousness-called unami (sounds like tsunami). Unami is why we crave foods; it's literally why some foods make you salivate more than a 14-year-old boy with the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. And it's partly what creates a dietary tug of war in your body. You...
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How are your gums related to your heart?
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by Dr. Michael Roizen
Everybody knows the two primary uses for teeth: eating and stopping hockey pucks. But what may surprise you is that your teeth can provide clues to your heart health like virtually no other outward part of your body. Why? The biggest concern when it comes to aging and your teeth isn't the presence of cavities; it's the presence of periodontal disease, which can have a RealAge effect of making you...
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What's an at-home exercise you can do to release jaw tension?
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by Dr. Michael Roizen
When you clench and grind your teeth, you can cause an imbalance in your jaw, making you more prone to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, jaw pain, and headaches. Although you should seek help from your dentist, doing an easy at-home exercise can help release some jaw tension. Take a cork from a wine bottle and hold it length wise between your front top and bottom teeth (without the bottle,...
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What causes an ice cream headache?
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by Dr. Mehmet Oz
Ah, downed your triple-dipped chocolate a little too quickly, ay? There are two theories as to what causes the rush of pain that comes with frozen food. One, the rapid cooling of air in the frontal sinuses may trigger local pain receptors. Two, the construction of blood vessels in the roof and rear of the mouth relax after the cold rush passes and as blood rushes into the area, it overloads local...
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What can my tongue tell me about my health?
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by Dr. Michael Roizen
Besides titillating a spouse or tipping you off that the haberneros are too hot, your tongue gives you lots of clues about your health. Pound for pound, the tongue is our strongest muscle. Your tongue actually looks a lot like your intestines and provides a great insight into how your body is responding to the outside world and the food you are eating. Traditional Chinese medicine uses the tongue...
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How can I better protect my teeth and mouth from injury?
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by Cleveland Clinic
The best source of protection is use of a mouth guard. Three types of mouth guards are available: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. Face cages are another option while playing certain sport positions, such as a baseball catcher or hockey goalie. This equipment protects against trauma to the face, but the mask can be difficult and clumsy to wear. Finally, it's also wise to wear a helmet ma...
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What is the temporomandibular joint?
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by Cleveland Clinic
The temporomandibular joint is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. The joints move smoothly up and down and side to side and enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control its position and movement. Learn more about temporomandi...
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What are the symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD)?
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by Cleveland Clinic
Common symptoms of TMD include: Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide Limited ability to open the mouth very wide Jaws that get "stuck" or "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not...
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What should one expect after a root canal?
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by Cleveland Clinic
For the first few days following the completion of treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This sensitivity or discomfort usually can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Most patients can return to their normal activities the ne...
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