The oral cavity’s appearance offers immediate insights into local and sometimes overall bodily health. Beyond its functions in speaking and eating, examining the various tissues inside the mouth helps establish a baseline for what is considered normal. Understanding the healthy appearance of structures like the gums and cheeks is essential for recognizing when a change might indicate a need for professional evaluation.
The Appearance of Healthy Gums and Teeth Support
Healthy gum tissue, known as gingiva, is coral or light pink in color. This hue can naturally include darker, melanin-related pigmentation, particularly in individuals with darker complexions. The tissue should be firm to the touch, not spongy or swollen, and resilient against gentle pressure. The attached gingiva often has a specific texture, appearing slightly stippled, much like the surface of an orange peel.
The contour of the gingiva is also an important indicator of health. Healthy gums fit snugly around the base of each tooth, presenting a thin, “knife-edge” margin at the gumline. The small triangles of gum tissue that fill the space between adjacent teeth, called interdental papillae, should be pointed and completely fill the space. A healthy periodontium, the system that supports the teeth, does not spontaneously bleed during brushing, flossing, or professional examination.
Beneath the gums, the teeth are held securely in the jawbone by the periodontal ligaments. While not visible, the stability of the teeth directly reflects this underlying support structure. The crown of the tooth—the visible part—is covered by enamel, which can be various shades of white or off-white. Healthy teeth should feel stable, without any noticeable movement or shifting when pressed.
Characteristics of a Normal Tongue
The tongue’s dorsal (top) surface has a distinct, velvety texture provided by thousands of tiny projections called papillae. The most numerous are the filiform papillae, which cover the tongue and give it a pinkish-white appearance, sometimes with a thin, whitish coating that is considered normal. The fungiform papillae are scattered among them, appearing as small, reddish dots that are slightly larger and contain taste buds.
The underside, or ventral surface, of the tongue is smooth, moist, and highly vascular, often displaying prominent veins close to the surface. A fissured tongue features multiple shallow or deep grooves on the top surface, which is a benign condition with a genetic component.
Geographic tongue manifests as irregular, smooth, red patches surrounded by slightly raised white borders. These patches occur when areas of papillae are lost and regenerate, making the red areas appear to move or change location over time. Scalloped edges, where indentations line the sides of the tongue, are often the result of the tongue resting against the teeth and are considered a harmless variation.
The Inner Cheeks, Lips, and Roof of the Mouth
The lining of the inner cheeks and lips, known as the buccal and labial mucosa, should be smooth, moist, and a uniform light pink or reddish-pink color. The color is generally similar to that of the gums. A common and harmless feature on the inner cheek is the linea alba, a faint white line that runs horizontally along the plane where the upper and lower teeth meet.
The hard palate often exhibits small ridges, called rugae, directly behind the upper front teeth. The soft palate, located further back, is smoother and slightly darker pink. The floor of the mouth, beneath the tongue, is also smooth and moist, where the small openings of the salivary ducts are visible. Tiny, yellowish-white bumps on the inner cheeks or lips, known as Fordyce’s granules, are collections of sebaceous glands and are a normal finding.
When Appearance Indicates a Problem
A persistent change in the mouth’s tissues that does not resolve within two weeks warrants professional evaluation. This includes any sore, ulcer, or lump that fails to heal on its own. Non-healing lesions, particularly those that bleed easily or are firm to the touch, should be examined by a dentist or physician.
Patches of tissue that appear red (erythroplakia) or thick, white, and cannot be scraped off (leukoplakia) can sometimes indicate precancerous or cancerous changes. Generalized swelling, puffiness, or a change in gum color to bright red or purplish often signals inflammation or infection. Unexplained or persistent bleeding from the gums or other soft tissues, not related to injury, is another sign that requires attention.