The Mouth

Your mouth does many important jobs every day. You use it to eat food, drink water, and say words. It is also the start of your digestive system. Your mouth has teeth, a tongue, and lips that all work together.

Parts of the Mouth

Your teeth cut and grind food into small pieces. Your tongue moves the food around and helps you taste it. Spit, or saliva, makes food soft and easier to swallow. Your lips close to keep food inside while you chew.

A super close-up of a tiny moth's mouth and head.
A super close-up of a tiny moth's mouth and head. (Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse This work has been released into the public domain by its author, http://remf.dartmouth.edu/imagesindex.html. This applies worldwide.In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so:http://remf.dartmouth.edu/imagesindex.html grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse / Wikimedia Commons)

Taking Care of Your Mouth

It is important to brush your teeth twice every day. Flossing gets food out from between your teeth. Visiting the dentist helps keep your mouth healthy. Drinking water also helps wash germs away.

Fun Facts

  • You make about one quart of spit every day.
  • Your mouth has billions of germs in it.
  • Kids have 20 baby teeth, but adults have 32 teeth.

Did You Know?

Your spit has special parts that start to break down food before it even leaves your mouth. This is how digestion begins.