Teeth and Digestion

The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system. It is at this point where the first stages of food breakdown for digestion begins.

When food enters the mouth, saliva is excreted in order to start the breakdown of foods. The tongue and the muscular walls of the mouth are used to move the food around in the mouth so that it can be chewed properly and following that, for the shaping of the food into a moist ball which is then pushed the back of the mouth to be swallowed.

Teeth are an integral part of digestion and it is essential to digestion to keep them in good shape. Partially chewed and then swallowed food (due to sensitive teeth or lacking teeth altogether) can result in your food being only partially digested and thus nutrients don't make it into the body. Insufficient nutrients digested that promote healthy teeth and gums can then cause further damage to one's teeth and gums and a vicious cycle (catch 22) is created.

There is a way out and that is to take care of one's teeth, which starts with seeing a dental professional.

A dentist is someone who is a professional at caring for teeth. He knows the role your teeth play and the importance of them.

The permanent teeth of an adult consist of the incisors, canines, premolars and molars, including the wisdom teeth which may not erupt until 25 years of ago, if at all. By the age of 25 years old, the adult should have a total of 32 teeth.

Each type of tooth has a specific function in dealing with food, in reducing it into conveniently sized pieces so they can be easily swallowed and digested.

The four front sharp teeth, both at the bottom and top, are called incisors. They are used to bite, tear and cut food - like when you bite into an apple.

The sharp corner teeth are called canines, which are used to bite and tear food.

Premolars, the next two teeth in line which are larger but still have sharp ridges, are used to crush food.

The molars, the big, less ridgy teeth at the back of the mouth, crush and grind food to pulp, so it is fine enough to be swallowed and easily digested.

Leading a healthy life starts with taking care of one's teeth.

This articles was provided Courtesy of Greenway Dental Group, MA, The Greenbelt Dentist