Tissues of the Mouth
The mouth comprises a variety of tissues. There are six major tissue types which contribute in various forms to the structure of the mouth. The epithelium acts as the covering for all of the soft tissues. The connective tissue, with its collection of fibers, blood vessels and nerves, is found under the epithelium. The epithelium and connective tissue act as the covering for the jawbones, as well as for the other bones in your body. The teeth
are made from enamel (the structure most often visible), dentin, which constitutes the bulk of the tooth, and cementum, which covers the surface of the root.
The epithelium—the tissue that covers and protects the entire body, including the inside of the mouth—has different structures and functions depending on its location. In the mouth, the epithelium serves as the covering for the cheeks, lips, gingiva (gums), tongue, and other soft tissue surfaces. A specialized
type of epithelium covers the top of the tongue and gives rise to the taste buds and papillae which give the tongue its unique appearance and function.
The surface of the epithelium may be covered with keratin, the thickened outer coating of protein which gives epithelium its toughness. Epithelium is classified as being either keratinized or unkeratinized. Gingiva, the tissue which surrounds the tooth, is covered with keratinized epithelium. This thickened surface
of keratin gives the gingiva its usual light-pink appearance.
