While the mouth is quite unique unto itself, it still has several similarities to other areas of the body.
Much like the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and the conjunctiva of the eye, your mouth has a thin mucosal lining that acts as a first line of defense against potential infection. The mucosal lining is like the thicker layer of skin the body has. Still, there is a vital difference between the mucosal lining in the mouth and other areas of your body.
When you get a sliver and have a breach in your skin, a contaminated object pierces the previously intact skin barrier, allowing bacteria, viruses and fungi that colonize your skin to enter the tissues below the skin, including the blood vessels. When this happens, your body’s immune system will set off an inflammatory response to prevent the invasion of pathogens. The difference between an interruption of the skin layer and the mouth is that breaking the skin barrier can occasionally occur. Still, the mucosal lining in your mouth, is continually interrupted by the presence of your teeth or dental implants.
Read the full article here:
What’s in the Mouth, Doesn’t Stay in the Mouth: How Oral Health Links to Systemic Health