Taking Good Care of the Mouth

Have you ever thought what it would be like if you had no mouth? There are living things, like the amoeba, for example, that have no mouth. It gets its food by simply flowing around a bit of food smaller than itself. The food is trapped in a part of the amoeba that looks like a hole except for the bit of food that is within it.

Without food, the amoeba would die. You too must have food in order to live. The opening through which food enters your body is your mouth.

Your mouth, though, is more than just a hole through which food goes to the food canal. Much of the enjoyment you get from food comes while the food is in your mouth. Your taste buds, the teeth that start the digestion of your food, the salivary glands and the pharynx through which food enters the esophagus, are all in the mouth.

Now you know why it is very important to keep your mouth as free from harmful bacteria as possible. Germs enter the body mainly through your mouth and nose; therefore, they should be kept clean.

Proper brushing of the teeth and care of the mouth keep the teeth healthy, although sometimes in spite of this, germs still attack the teeth and form little pockets at the base of the root.

These pockets of germs give off their poison into the blood supply and become the focus or center of infectious materials. They may even be the cause of such serious troubles as rheumatism and heart trouble.

Infected teeth may easily be discovered by the use of x-rays. Usually, they should be extracted. Pyorrhea is a disease of the gums and must be treated by a good dentist at least twice a year even if you do not think there is anything wrong.

Do you ever put pencil in your mouth? Many people have this habit. Perhaps, someone at some time has told you to take the pencil out of your mouth.

You can also help keep your mouth clean by washing your hands before you eat or before you touch food. If your hands are not clean, you can get germs into your mouth, through the food you touch.

The utensils you use for cooking and eating should be clean. In restaurants, care should be taken to see that the silverware and dishes are clean.

Another common ailment in the mouth is tonsilitis. The tonsils are masses of tissues at the entrance to the throat and may harbor germs. If they become enlarged, they are likely to be infected with germs taken in with the air.

Many other infections may cause discomfort and sickness because of germs that entered the body through the mouth. As you must already know, the mouth works with other parts of the body to keep your system working smoothly. If care is taken, many of these infections may be prevented and your mouth and vital parts inside would be healthy and would be able to properly function, the most important of which are eating, talking and smiling.

Grin your way to a healthy lifestyle. Put a smile on your face and you can prolong life. Smiling will not only help prevent disorder like ulcers, headaches, backaches, high blood pressure, mental problems, tiredness and asthma (because it reduces stress), it will make your face more glowing, prettier and younger.

And think what your smiles will do to the people around you!!!