Oral cavity

Here is a link to the human mouth microbiome project. Microbiomes are to become an important part of rejuvepedia.

http://www.homd.org/index.php

Gingiva AKA gums

tongue

Teeth

Tonsils

Oral Malodor AKA bad breath
Can be caused by Hydrogen Sulphide from the tongue, Methyl Mercaptan from the gums and Dimethyl Sulphide from the throat.

One way to test of bad breath is to lick your forearm and then wait for 60 seconds then smell that area that you licked. That is what your breath smells like.

If it smells bad you should probably gargle with probiotics such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis. Citation needed.

Could write about history of Listerine originally an antiseptic and floor cleaner.

http://www.doctorspiller.com/halitosis.htm

Page Crow says: "Bad breath is not coming from the mouth. It's coming from the exhaled gases that are exiting the body from the lungs. The lungs bring oxygen to the body and eliminate carbon dioxide and other wastes from the body, via the bloodstream & cross-transfer at the alveoli inside the lungs."

Dry Mouth
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Dry_mouth_syndrome

http://www.doctorspiller.com/oral%20anatomy.htm

Oral Biofilms
Plaque consists of microorganisms and extracellular matrix.

The microorganisms that form the biofilm are mainly Streptococcus mutans and anaerobes, with the composition varying by location in the mouth. Examples of such anaerobes include fusobacterium and Actinobacteria.

The extracellular matrix contains proteins, long chain polysaccharides and lipids.

The microorganisms present in dental plaque are all naturally present in the oral cavity, and are normally harmless. However, failure to remove plaque by regular tooth brushing means that they are allowed to build up in a thick layer. Those microorganisms nearest the tooth surface convert to anaerobic respiration; it is in this state that they start to produce acids.
 * Acids released from dental plaque lead to demineralization of the adjacent tooth surface, and consequently to dental caries. Saliva is also unable to penetrate the build-up of plaque and thus cannot act to neutralize the acid produced by the bacteria and remineralize the tooth surface.
 * They also cause irritation of the gums around the teeth that could lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
 * Plaque build up can also become mineralized and form calculus (tartar).

Mouth washes
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-05-13-bad-breath_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip