Meet the unsung heroes of your mouth

By Dr Alexandra Jones, Co-Founder and Board Chair

When most people think about oral health, they think about teeth. Maybe gums. Maybe toothpaste.

But what if I told you there’s a whole team of unsung heroes working behind the scenes, 24/7 to keep your mouth (and the rest of you) healthy?

Your mouth is an ecosystem: a bustling, complex environment full of glands, tissues, microbes, and fluids, all doing their jobs to protect, clean, repair, and defend.

So today, I want to introduce you to the hidden team behind a healthy mouth.

The Microbiome: your mouth’s bouncers, cleaners and medics

Your oral microbiome is a diverse community of bacteria, fungi and viruses. That might sound gross, but actually it’s very cool – they are a team that each have important roles.

• The bouncers: Friendly bacteria that help keep the nasty ones in check by taking up space and resources.

• The cleaners: Microbes that help break down food particles and maintain balance in the mouth.

• The medics: Some bacteria even produce substances that support immune health or reduce inflammation.

But when the balance tips in an unhelpful direction, harmful bacteria can take over. That’s when we get problems like tooth decay and gum disease.

Saliva: The superfluid

Saliva is like the Swiss Army knife of the mouth. Made by your salivary glands, it’s not just water, it’s a complex mix of enzymes, minerals, proteins and antimicrobial agents.

• It neutralises acid after you eat to protect your teeth from decay.

• It washes away food and bacteria.

• It delivers minerals that help repair early damage to enamel.

• It even starts digestion before food hits your stomach.

If your mouth is dry (from medication, dehydration, or health conditions), all of this gets harder, and your risk of disease goes up.

Gums: The protectors of teeth

Your gums are living tissue with an important job: forming a join and acting as a sensor around your teeth to block bacteria and keep your bones and connective tissue safe.

When gums get inflamed or infected (like in gingivitis or periodontitis), that protective barrier breaks down, and harmful bacteria can get into your bloodstream.

That’s why red, swollen or bleeding gums aren’t just annoying, they’re a signal your immune system is under pressure.

Enamel: The bodyguard with no backup

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body. It protects your teeth from heat, cold, acid, and daily wear and tear. But here’s the catch - enamel doesn’t regenerate.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

That’s why preventive care matters so much. Your enamel is a bodyguard that can’t be replaced, but it can be supported with fluoride, a healthy diet, and good daily habits.

Nerves, blood vessels and the jaw

Beneath every tooth is a network of nerves and blood vessels working hard to keep that tooth alive and healthy.

And your jaw system (including the temporomandibular joint or TMJ), is the scaffolding that holds it all together, allowing you to speak, chew and express emotion.

When something’s off in one part of the system, it often affects the others. That’s why oral health is about how everything in the mouth functions together.

So, what does this all mean?

It means your mouth is more than just a set of teeth to clean, it’s a complex system doing vital work to protect your health, every hour of the day.

But right now too many Australians don’t have access to the services, information or support they need to keep their mouth healthy. Whether it’s long waits for public dental care, costly private options, lack of culturally safe services, or simply not being given the right information at the right time, the reasons are systemic, not personal.

If you’re keen to connect and explore how we can work together to ensure everyone is able to experience good oral health and the many benefits it brings, reach out to me at Alex@fred.org.au