MOUTH FACTS

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The tooth is the only part of the body that can’t heal itself.
Bones are not the hardest substance in the human body - tooth enamel is. However, using your pearly whites to open bottle caps is not recommended!
You can only see 1/3 of your tooth. The other 2/3 is hidden under your gums.
Tooth decay is the second most common disease, second only to the common cold. (probably THE most common chronic disease)

The vocal cords in our throat helps in forming speech.
Because air and food both pass through, it is considered to be part of both the digestive and respiratory systems.
Located at the back and sides of the mouth, your tonsils and adenoids are lymph nodes that help protect against infection. However, both generally serve little purpose beyond childhood.

Prevalence of gingivitis in dentate (having teeth) adults range from approx. 50-100%! This makes it one of the most common dental problems adults face. It often develops slowly and painlessly.
People who smoke are 2-7 X more likely to develop gum disease.
Healthy gums and bone hold teeth firmly in place. Gums attach to teeth just below the edge of the gums. Gum disease affects the attachment between gums and teeth.
Gum disease begins with plaque. Plaque is clear and sticky and contains germs (or bacteria). So, it is really important to remove plaque every day by brushing and flossing

A sore jaw combined with arm / chest pain can signal a heart attack – especially in women.

The human mouth contains more bacteria than there are people on Earth.
Due to high vascularity, the mouth is one of the fastest healing parts of the body.
For the same reason, patients suffering from angina (a heart condition) are required to place their medication under the tongue for fast action when suffering from pain.
Your mouth can tell a lot about the health of the rest of your body including other diseases.

A tongue contains 2,000 to 10,000 taste buds. Some die off every couple of weeks and are replaced by new ones.
The tongue is made up of eight muscles
Spicy “taste” is not really a taste and the sensation is not carried by taste buds - it is a form of “pain” and is carried by the pain conducting mechanism.