The human mouth is located on the face just below the nose and is the entrance to the digestive tract. It is the first part of the body involved in the process of digestion. The mouth is also essential to the function of speech.YourTotalHealth: About Mouth anatomyMSN Encarta: Mouth

1. Lips: Speech and sensory receptors
2. Gums: Hold teeth in placeSEER's Training Web Site: Mouth (Oral Cavity)
3. Teeth: Break down foodMedlinePlus: Mouth Anatomy
4. Tongue: used for speech, taste and moving food
5. Uvula: Directs food away from the nasal cavity into the oropharynx
6. Palate: Separates the oral cavity and nasal cavitySEER's Training Web Site: Mouth (Oral Cavity)
7. Tonsils: Help to fight infectionsMedlinePlus: Mouth Anatomy

Several factors impact the health of the mouth such as oral hygiene, diet, use of tobacco products, prolonged sun exposure, stress and skin to skin contact.WebMD: Oral Health: The Mouth-Body ConnectionMayo Clinic: Canker SoreMayo Clinic: Cold Sore

Some health problems that involve the mouth are: cold sores, canker sores, thrush, oral cancer, gingivitis and gum disease.American Dental Association: Common Mouth SoresMedicineNet: Dental Health: ThrushAmerican Academy of Periodontology: What Is Gingivitis?MedlinePlus: Gum Disease

• Google Books: Mouth Books

• Google Books: The Mouth: Diagnosis and Treatment

• Amazon.com: Mouth Books

• Amazon.com: Infectious Diseases of the Mouth

• JAMA: Articles and Journals about the Mouth

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